1. I actually opposed the invasion of Iraq before it happened. Now I can see that some good has come from it. I’m not sure it was the right thing to do, but I’m glad that Saddam Hussein is out of power and I’m glad that we have not been attacked on our soil again. I hope that it can end soon–but only if it can end in a way that is good for both Iraqis and for America.

2. I thought the economy was going very well until the most recent gas hikes and the housing mortgage crisis, both of which I blame on our socialized economy.

3. Do we want alternative fuels. Yes, but only if they are really better than oil in every way. And only if they are developed by private industry, which would happen sooner in a more liberalized economy. Same with fuel-efficient cars. No, I don’t want to destroy Alaska. I want to drill in one small, remote part of Alaska.

4. I’m not a racist. I very much like black men like Thomas Sowell, Walter Williams, and Alan Keyes and black women like Kay Coles James, Star Parker, and Condoleeza Rice. Any of them would make a great President. If black preaching includes “God d–n America,” then no, I don’t understand it, and I cannot agree with it. (I suppose that you do. If so, shame on you for cursing this great country where you get to have a blog and express yourself on it freely!!!)

5. Yes, I think people can be pro-Israel and pro-Arab. The way that I feel that can be done is by letting Israel have their tiny piece of land (that they were granted by the U. N. and that they expanded after they were attacked) and letting the Arabs have the vast and petroleum-rich lands they already occupy. I do love Christians, Jews, Muslims, and others. I just want all of them to love me back (or at least refrain from killing me).

6. The question is not how we feel about being hated, but why we are hated. As long as we support a free, democratic homeland for Jewish people in Palestine, we will be hated. As long as we put our ingenuity and muscle into productivity that leads to financial prosperity, we will be hated. As long as we fight for freedom around the world, we will be hated. Remember, Helen, the Nazis hated us. Too bad.

3.

We (Americans) are hated because of our arrogance, because we think we can teach the world how to live, because we think we teach but do not need to learn. Same reason racism exists. White people think they know how blacks should live. We think we teach but do not need to learn. We (Americans) think “values” means: Do it my way.

How many are you willing to sacrafice for your new policy of non-violence. We are hated for our economy and our religion. Unless those things change the hatred will continue. I would venture a guess that far more would die in the first year alone than have in both wars in Iraq and Afghanistan plus on 9-11. Just my estimates though, maybe I’m wrong.

We don’t ask people not to kill us, politely or otherwise; we start practicing non-violence. Non-violence may be physically weak, but it morally strong. People must be trained in non-violence, perhaps more rigorously than for the military (violence) forces. Right will overcome wrong in the long run. Will some die before we establish peace? Sure. But some will die if we keep on preferring war.

As for the camp fire comment, I just don’t understand what you think is going to happen. Will the people trying to kill us stop because we ask them politely?

And, Jay, you don’t get to decide who goes to the polls.

As for the isms. Are you serious? You think a man being black, or a woman, or an Indian, or a red head is enough of a reason to vote a person into the office of president of the United States. I don’t think a president needs to be an old white man. In fact if you even take that into account I don’t think you have any business at the polls.